The bath felt good. It took some effort, but I managed to scrub off the red markings from my body, which I previously thought are tattoos.
As I washed away the bubbles, I noticed that my skin is smooth and has no blemishes. Maybe I am a spokesperson for a super expensive brand of cosmetics that makes Hollywood stars appear twenty years younger than they are. That thought made me wonder, how old am I?
I checked my face in the magnifying mirror. It's familiar, yet foreign. I have no wrinkles, and again there is that perfect skin.
By the time I got out of the bathroom, the bed was set with fresh linens, whose lavender scent nudged me to relax more.
I noticed several dresses in the closet and I found underwear sets in the drawer whose colors match the dresses, and everything is in my size. Amazing!
The staff in this house is efficient. Wait, scratch that… this is not a house, it looks like a castle of some sort.
The walls are sturdy and made out of bricks and I clearly remember climbing up the stairs from the lab which seems to be at the basement level. Do they have basements in Venice? Isn't it water everywhere and stuff? Maybe the lab was at the ground level, but with no windows.
Once we reached the upper floor, I tried sneaking glances through the windows to see the surroundings, but it was dark and other than fleeting lights in the distance, I didn't see much because I didn't want to stop and risk losing sight of Aldus.
The hallways are long with numerous doors and if Aldus didn't guide me to the room, I would be lost because simple 'upstairs, second to the left' is not achievable in this maze. I saw another set of stairs going up and it made me wonder how big this place is. At first, I thought that this is a hotel or something like that, but all the staff we passed by bowed and addressed Aldus as 'master', so he definitely runs this place.
Whatever voodoo-scientist thing he is into, it must earn him a lot of money. Or maybe he inherited it. In either case, the man is loaded.
After checking all my options in the closet, I picked a light green dress and matching underwear before I removed the bathrobe, pausing at the sight of myself in the full-body mirror.
I blinked a few times. Is this me? I am… gorgeous! My legs are long, waist narrow, chest full, face beautiful with full lips, straight nose, gray eyes… chestnut hair that is shiny and flowy all the way to half of my back. I think I just crushed on myself!
With these looks, I must be a model or an actress. It would be a waste not to earn pretty money off of the assets nature gave me. I wish that I can remember my parents, they must be good looking too. I won the genetic lottery.
"Miss, dinner is ready. I am here to escort you to the dining room."
The maid's voice freaked me out, but I tried not to show it. At least she stood out of sight and I can pretend that she didn't catch me checking my naked self in the mirror.
"I need a minute to dress up."
"Yes, Miss. Do you need help?"
"No, thank you!", I responded, louder than I intended.
"I will wait outside."
I held my breath until I heard the door closing and then I dressed up in a hurry. Next time, I need to remember to lock the door.
The maid guided me down the stairs, and I tried focusing on the directions, but the walls were laid out with exquisite artwork that distracted me to the point of me slowing down my steps. Some of the paintings looked very old, portraits or scenes from what seemed like official gatherings, and I could swear that I saw Aldus on more than one.
"Miss?"
The maid's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. What was I thinking? Ah, yes. I was staring at the paintings instead of watching which way I'm going. How am I going to escape this place if I don't know which way are the exits?
I followed after the maid obediently and reminded myself to stay calm. I need to carefully gauge my current situation. Will the guy let me go? Maybe, if I knew where I am supposed to go. Damn memory! When will I remember? But if he does not want to let me go, disobedience will only bring me into trouble. So, in any case, I need to cooperate until I have enough knowledge and resources to get out of here to wherever I belong.
I paused at the door that led into an expansive dining room. A huge table was in the center with twenty chairs around it and crystal chandeliers above. The marble floor from the hallway stretched into this room, but it had some designs that complimented ornate artwork on the walls.
"I hope you are hungry…", the now familiar male voice greeted me.
I saw Aldus standing up to welcome me and he wore a dark blue suit that fit him well. I observed that when he is dressed up, shaven and his hair is neatly combed, he looks… presentable. Like a handsome father I would like to take to the parent-teacher conference at my school.
Aldus guided me to the chair on his right and pulled it for me to sit.
"Do you like your room?", he asked with a smile as he sat at the head of the table.
"Uhm… it's fine."
"You don't sound convincing."
"Well, everything is confusing."
Aldus made a gesture with his hand and the maid left through the door behind him.
"Confusing? Feel free to ask any questions you might have."
I was not even sure where to start so I picked one. "You said that you found me three days ago. Was that the first time you saw me?"
"Yes."
"So… I don't belong here."
"You do now."
"I don't know who I am, but this is not where I belong.", I said cautiously.
The maid returned with two other maids who carried food. After serving us, they left promptly.
Aldus waited until we are alone before responding: "It does not matter who you were. This is a new start for you."
I gulped a mouthful of air. With every word he said, I was more convinced that this is kidnapping. He definitely drugged me to tamper with my memories. But… how do I explain that magical healing of the cut on my arm? Drugs… yup, some drugs cause hallucinations, and if he is familiar with the effects, he can use them to his advantage.
"How will you explain my presence?"
"I told you. Starting today, you are my daughter."
"You want to be my father? I have a father." I said reflexively. In the next moment, I paused. Do I have a father? What about the rest of my family? Mother? Siblings? My body is fully grown, do I have a husband? Children?
He noticed my confused expression. "Do you remember anything?"
"No.", I admitted.
"Even if you have a father, you can't go back. We can forget about the fact that you came back from the dead, but how will you explain all the unnatural things about your body? It is easier this way and I can keep you safe."
I inhaled a choppy breath when I noticed a warning in his voice. "Safe?"
"Do you think that it's a common occurrence for normal girls to gain your capabilities? My initial tests are showing that the cells in your body are not degrading. Your constitution is unique and trust me when I say that I am the most knowledgeable about your current condition. Mortals will want to find your secret, and immortals will want to steal it from me. The only way for you to survive and avoid endless torture while they extract your blood, bone marrow, and harvest your organs is to stay under my protection. Three days ago, you died, and today, my daughter was born." He waved his hand dismissively. "No need to take it all in now. We have time and you will adjust to this gradually. You might not agree with this now, but I am confident that you will, once you grasp your current situation."
I decided to stay quiet. With every response from Aldus, more nonsense was added to the already big pile. Before I retaliate, I need to find out who I am, how do I go back, and where that 'back' is.
The food was delicious and I focused on savoring each bite while ignoring occasional glances he directed my way.
About halfway into the meal, he spoke again: "Is the food to your liking?"
I nodded in response.
He cocked an eyebrow. "No more questions?"
I forced a smile. I have so many questions! But I know that asking about myself is not a good idea, so I decided to find out more about my host (aka abductor).
"You said your name is Aldus. Tell me about yourself."
"My name is Aldus Mezzanotte. I am the owner of Notte Pharmaceuticals and I am a private person."
"That is for the public.", I voiced my thoughts.
He smiled. "You are smart. Yes, that is for the public."
"And in private?"
Aldus paused and gave me a side-glance. "You saw one of my labs… and I can see that you have difficulty accepting what you personally experienced, so there is no point in talking about me because you will take it as either lies or gibberish from a senile man." His lips lifted into a sly smile. "Ask me questions when you are willing to accept the answers. You are my daughter, so I will not hide things from you."
I released the breath I was holding. So far, I saw him as a crazy voodoo-freak, but now… it seems that with crazy-freak, he is also rich and smart as well. Can he really read me like an open book? I was back to thinking that he might read my mind.
"Uhm… a daughter. So, I assume I will be Miss Mezzanotte?", I asked after some time.
Aldus nodded in agreement.
"You are… Seraphina Amara Mezzanotte.", the words slid down his tongue smoothly, like he practiced saying that before.
He noticed my questioning look and explained: "Seraphina because you have an ancient fire inside you, and Amara means eternal."
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